NOT TO BE PUBLISHED T h e In fo rm a tio n g iv e n In th ia d o cu m en t la no t to be c o m m u n ic a te d , e it h e r d ir e c tl y o r I n d ir e c tly , to th e P re ss o r to a ny pera on no t h o ld in g an o H lc ia l p o sit io n la Il ls M aje st y' s Ser vic e. M .G .S . PubNeatM Ma/79b THIS DOCUMENT MUST NOT FALL INTO ENEMY HANDS ENEMY WEAPONS PA RT II. ITALIAN AND GERM AN INF ANTRY WEAPONS
1942
Cruurtt Copyr ight Reserved
T he W ar O ffic e, Pre pared under the direction of 14/A August, 1942, I he Ch ief of the Im peria l General Staff DISTRIBUTION In fa n tr y ...... Scale B All arms, less infan try ...... • • Scale A Infantry O.C.T.Us...... Scale II All O.C.T.Us., less infantry ...... Scale I All infan try train ing establishm ents and schools Scale B AU training estab lishments and schools, less infantry Scale A CONTENTS Foreword. SEC. PART I.—ITALIAN PISTOUS PACK 1. Intro ducto ry n o t e ...... I 2. 10-35 mm. revolver, Mod. 89—Bodeo ... 1 3. 9 mm. self-loading pistol. Mod. 910—Glisenti 3 4. 9 mm. self-loading pistol. Mod. 34—B eretta 4 PAR T II.—ITALIAN RIFL ES AND CAR BINES 5. Introd uct ory n o t e ...... 7 6. 6-5 mm. ritle. Mod. 91 8 7. 6-5 mm. carbine, Mod. 91 ... 9 8. 6-5 mm. carbine. Mod. 91 per T.S. 9 9. 7-35 mm. rifle. Mod. 38 9 10. 7-35 mm. carbine. Mod. 38 9 PART II I.—ITALIAN MACHINE CARBINES 11. Introd uct ory note ...... 10 12. 9 mm. machine carbine. Mod. 38—Beretta 10 ( oH /m iin t on fiag t HI of fo v tt I FOREWORD It was originally intended to confine the present booklet to Ita lia n Infan try Weapons, but since it is now possible to add considerably to the information already given in Par t I (German Infantry Weapons) on the (ierma n Pistol 38 a nd Light Mortar 36, it has been decided to tak e t his op portun ity of issuing revised particu lars of these two weapons.
EN EM Y W EA PO NS PART II.-ITAL IAN AND GERMAN INFANTRY WEAPONS PART I__ ITALIAN PISTOLS 1. Introductory note A revolver and two self-loading pistols are issued as standard weapons. Certain N.C.Os. and men, c.g. members of M.G. and gun detachments, are armed with the revolver, while officers and warran t officers earn ’ one or other of the two self-loading pistols. 2. 10-35 mm . Revolver, Mod. 89--Bodeo. (See Fig. 1) Pistola a rotazione Bodeo, Mod. 89 Tliis is a double action, solid framed revolver of somewhat old-fashioned design. The cylinder does not " swing ou t ” to assist loading and the empty cases can only be ex tracted and ejected one by one. A trigger guard is not usually fitted. •t Gen er al part ic ula rs Calibre: 10-35 mm. (-41 in.) Weight : 2 lb. Overall length : 9J in. Cylinder capacity : 6 rounds. Safety •’ Bodco ” revolvers of recent manufacture are provided with a safety catch on the left. In addition, safety is provided for during loading and ejection by the action of the loading gate which, on being pulled back, disconnects the hammer an d trigg er mechanisms. To load Pull back " loading gate " and insert a cartridge in the cham ber thereby exposed. Rotate the cylinder by pressing the trigger (the hammer mechanism is disconnected so long as the loading gate is open) and insert a cartridge in the next cham ber. Continue loading in this manner until all cham bers of the cylinde r are full. Finally push loading gate forward again.
To cock and fire The revolve r can be cocked and fired either " single action .” bv first cocking the hammer with the thu mb and then pulling the trigger, or ” double action.” by a strong pressure on the trigger which cocks the hammer and I ic. 1.—10-35 mm. Kkvolver 89 then releases it to fire th e c artridge cap. 3 E xt ra ct io n an d ejec tio n Open the loading gate and pull the ejection-rod forward Shift the ejection-rod over to the right by swinging its carrier across beneath the barre l a nd push out the em pty cases one by one by pressing the ejection-rod and rota ting the cylinder by means of the trigger. Strip pin g Remo ve:—I. Ix ft si de plate and pistol grip. 2. Cylinder axis. 3. Cylinder. 4. Main spring. 5. Pawl. 6. Trigger. 7. Hammer. 3. 9 m m . Sel f- lo adin g P is to l. M od . 91 0 G ll se nti . (See F ig . 2) Pistola automatica Glistnli, Mod. 910 The action of thisS.L. Pistol, which icsembles th at employed in the 1914 anti 1935 H at Revclli M.Gs., is briefly as follows:—On tiring, th e barrel and lx>lt recoil together a short distance, temporarily interlocked by a wedge lever which is pivoted in the body. As this movement proceeds the wedge lever rotates back into the boJy, am i a t the corre ct moment leaves the bolt free to be forced to the rear by the thr ust of the sj>ent case. The action of the wedge lever is not a positive locking action, but what is sometimes called a " semi-locking ” action. G en er al part ic ula rs Calibre: 9 mm. (-35 in.). Weight : I lb. 12 oz. Overall length : KJ in. Feed : 7 round magazine in bu tt. I ic. 2 - 9 mm. S.I.. P istol 910 4 Safety A safety catch at the bac k end of the bolt, when in the " safe ” position, preven ts movement of th e firing pin. and a " grip safety ” (which co-operates with the trigger) is provided in front of the bu tt below the trigger guard. Preparation for firing Insert a full magazine. Set safety catch to " fire." Grip the bolt wings. I*ull bolt back to its full e xten t a nd then allow it to go smartly forward again to transfer a round from the magazine to the chamber. To fire Press trigger, squeezing " grip safety ” a t the same time. Strip pin g Remo ve:—1. Magazine. 2. Side plate (loosen retaining screw'. 3. Left pistol grip. 4. Trigger with pawl and V-spring. 5. Barrel and barrel extension. 6. Firing pin housing and firing pin. 7. Bolt. 8. Firing pin stop and safety catch (after pullin g back firing pin stop into oval slot and shifting safety catch from right to left). 9. Ejector and ejecto r lever. 10. Safety catch. 11. Wedge lever an d spring. 12. Right pistol grip.
4. 9 m m. Self-loading Pistol, Mod. 34 Beretta. (See Fig. 3) Ptstola automatica Beretta, Mod. 34 A self-loading pistol with externa l ham mer, fixed barrel and recoiling breech slide. The breech is no t positi\ely locked a t the moment of firing, bu t is kep t closed merely by the inertia of the breech slide assisted by spring pressure. 5 The ammunition for thi s pistol is th e sh ort 9 mm. ty|»c which is interchangeable with the -380 in auto, ammunition used in the American -380-in. Colt auto ma tic pistol.
G en er al part ic ula rs ( alibie : 9 linn. (-35 in.) W eigh t: 1 lb. 7$ oz. Overall length : 6 in. Feed : Removable 7 round maga zine in bu tt.
Sa fety Shift safety catch back (exposing letter “ S ”) for “ safe ” and forward ■ exposing letter " F ” and red spot) for " fire.” There is no " grip saf ety .” but the hamm er can be s et at half cock.
Pre par at io n fo r fir in g Insert full magazine. Set to ” lire.” Cock hammer. Pull back bicech slide MAGAZINE CATCH and then allow it to go sm artly forwaru. F ig. 3.— 9 mm. S.I.. Pist ol 34 h'lG. 4. 7 Stripping Unload Cock hammer Set to safe. Pull breech slide back un til safety catch snaps into recess on left. Push barrel backward (if necessary tap muzzle lig htly on a wooden surface to free it) and remove through ejection opening. Grip milled surfaces of breech slide and disengage safety catch front recess. Let breech slide go forward Remove breech slide, return spring and return spring rod Pull out safety catch to left.
PART II ITALIAN RIFLES AND CARBINES (Sec Fig. 4)
5. Introductory note The basic Mannlicher-Carcano design, which is embodied in all Ita lian service rifles and carbines combines the Muunlicher system of clip loading with a bo lt action of Mauser type developed by M. Carcano of the Tu rin S.A. factory. With the Mannlich er system of loading, each clip is inserted in the magazine together with the cartridges and after all the cartridges have been forced up out of it by a spring-loaded lever known as the "e le va to r,” the clip drops ou t through a hole in the bottom. Sh ortly before the present war the Italians decided to increase the calibre of their rifle*- and L.M.Gs. from 6-5 mm. (-256-in.) to 7*35 mm. -239-in.) and a new rille and carbine of this calibre were actu ally introduced r rc Sees 9 and 10 below). It seems, however, that the « hangc over has not >et progressed very far and it may even have been postponed, since nl.es of the new 1938 pattern have been found to be fitted with a 6-5 mm. barrel. 8 6. 6-5 m m . Ri fle , Mo d. 91 1'iu ile. Mu d. 91 Gener al pa rtic ul ar s Calibre : 6-5 mm. ('256 in.). Weight (without bayonet) : S’, lb. Length (without bayonet i : 51 in. Rifling: 4 grooves R.H., increasing twist. Sights: ” V ’’ notch and barleycorn, sighted 600 2,o*M) metres. Feed : Vertical box magazine holding one 6-round clip. Safety For ’* safe,” first disengage safety catch (finger lever on plug at back of bolt) by pushing it forward and to the le ft ; and then raise it and draw it back. The mainspring is now no longer under compression, For " fire,” push catch forward and down to the right until stud on bolt plug engages in recess in bolt. The mainspring is now compressed. Preparation for firing Set to ” fire.” Open breech, insert clip of 6 rounds in magazine. Close breech. Rem oval and stripp in g of bolt Draw bolt back and remove, while pressing trigger. Move safety catch toward " safe,” and slightly before end of this movement, shift it over to left. Unscrew striker nut. withdraw cocking- piece, bolt plug, striker and mainspring. Re -assem bling and rep lac ing bolt Proceed in reverse order, taking care tha t line marked on striker is opposite tha t oil bolt plug, and tha t flat portion on striker fits against corresponding part in cocking piece. 9 7. 6-5 m m . Ca rb ine. Mod. 01 Mo schtUo, M od . 91 Similar to rifle Mod. 91. but has a shorter barrel, a bent-down bolt lever and a folding bayonet It is sighted from 600-1.500 metres, weighs 7 lb. (approx.) and is about 36 in. long with the bavonct folded. 8. 6 5 m m . Car bine , Mo d. 91 pe r T .S . Mosc hfH o, M od . 91 per 7. 5. Similar to carbine Mod. 91. but has a separate bavonct like the rifle Mod. 91. " Per l.ij." (truppe spcciati) means " for special troops," e.g., gunners an d specialists. 9. 7 35 m m . R ifle , .Mod. 38 Fticile, Mod. 38 I his rifle is based on the rifle Mod. 91. the mam differences being the increased calibre and reductions in weight and length. It has a light folding bayonet which is normally atta che d to the barrel, but can lx* removed a nd used as a dagger. As regards model 38 rifles fitted with a 6-5 nnn. barre l— Sec. 5 above. Gen er al pa rt ic ul ar s Calibre : 7-35 mm. (-289 in.). Weight (without bayonet) : 71 lb. Length (without bayonet) : 40 in. Rifling: 4 grooves R.H. constant twist. Sights: " Battle sight ” fixed for 300 m. only. 10. 7 35 m m . Ca rb ine, Mo d. 38 Mosc hfU o. M od . 38 Compares with carbine 91 in much the same way as rifle 38 compares with rifle 91. in PART III. ITALIAN MACHINE CARBINES 11. Introductory note Machine carbines, i.e. light auto matic weapons firing pistol ammunition of which a typical example is the American Thompson, have not so far been extensively used by the Italians. Never theless they possess, in the Model 38 Ber etta machine carbine, a weapon of this kind which is considered to be above the average, both as regards functioning and convenience in handling. 12. 9 m m . Machin e Car bi ne , Mod. 38 Ber et ta. 5 Fig. 5) Moschetto Au tom. Beretta Mol. 38 This weapon operates on the inertia or '* blow-back system and incorporates no means for locking, or delaying the opening of the breech. It will fire 9 mm. Paral-ellum typ e ammunition of British. German or Italian manufacture, i.e. ammunition of the same types as can be fired by the British 9 mm. " Sten " machine carbine. In recen t examples of this weapon. provision is m ade for mounting a detacha ble folding bayonet similar to th at used with the model 38 rifle. Gen eral par ticu la rs Calibre ; 9 min. (-35 in.) Weight (without magazine) : 9 lb. I oz. Overall length : 37 j in. Ammunition : 9 mm. Parabellum. Maximum rate of fire : 570 r.p.m. Sights: Radial leaf V " backsight, gradua ted from 100 to 500 tn. Barleycorn foresight 1 eed : Box magazine fitted underneath body : there are three different sizes of magazine bolding 10, 20 aud 40 rounds respectively. II ,5*2" le ve A G CATCH
PLAN l ie. 5.—9 mm. Machine Carbine—Beretta 12 Safety LevCt oh left of Iwxly locks trigger mechanism and breech block in closed or open pos.tioii. Shift lever, forward to S ” for " safe " and back to " V " for " fire.” Provision for s rftle s ho ts and au tomatic tire Has two triggers, front trigger for single shots and rear trigger for automatic. The automatic trigger is provided with a catch in the form of a plunger which, when applied by pressing it from left to right. !• cks this trigger and thus prevents inadvertent automatic fire. If the catch is shifted to the left, either single shot or automatic fire are obtainable at will by pressing the appropriate trigger. P re p ara ti o n fo r fi ri ng Insert filled magazine into magazine opening be eath body. Set safety lever to ” fire ” and adjust cutomatic trigger catch as required. Cjck. by pull.ng cocking handle to the rear. Machine carbine can now l»e fired by pressing appropriate trigger. P a rti a l str ip p irg Press retail.ing catch on rear of body ami turn milled head on end cap anti-clockwise until it stops. Withdraw end cap and pull out retu rn spring contained in tubu lar housing. Pull cocking handle smartly to the rear and remove breech block.
PA RT IV. ITALIAN LIGHT MACHINE GUNS 13. In trod uc to ry note Three different models of the same L.M.G. arc in service, the calibre of the two older models being fi-5 mm. (-256-in.), while tha t of the new model is 7-35 mm. (-289*in.;. so tha t it can fire th e same ammunition as the model 38 rifle. 13 14. 6-5 mm. L.M.G., Moil. 30—Breda. (See Figs. 6 to 9) I'ucile Mitragliaiore Breda, Mod. 30 The barre l an d breech block of this L.M.G. are locked toge ther by a locking nut on the rear end of the barrel, this locking nut being formed with interrupted screw -threads which c igage with corresponding screw-threads on the front end of th e breech block. On firing, the lxarre’ and breech block recoil toge ther until the locking nu t is rotated by a cam way in the body. The breech block is then free to move to the rear. The reatward movement of the breech block is brought a bo ut bv the thrus t of the enij ty cartridge case. To insur clean extraction of the case from the cham ber and to increase the t .rust acting on the breech block, both case and cham ber are automatically lubricated from an oil reservoir at the to p of th e body. An unusual feature of this L.M.G. is its perm anent box magazine, which is hinged Io the bodv and can be swung forward into the position shown in fog. 7 for loading from a charger (Fig. 8). A folding bu tt rest is sometimes fitted underneath the butt. General particulars Calibre: 6-5 mm. (-256-in.) Weight (with magazine and bip od ); 25J-lb. Overall length : 48 | in. Maximum (cyclic) r?le of fire: 450 501) r.p.m. Practical rate of fire : 150 r.p.m. Feed : Perm anent box magazine, charger-loaded and holds 20 rounds. Sights: i. Open " V ” leaf backsight graduated 3iMl to 1,500 metres. Barleycorn foresight li. Fixed battlcsight for 300 metres. Provision for sing le s h o ts fire . None, Mounting : Bipod. U
Lower safety catch (on right of sear housing) to " S '* for " safe ” and raise it to ' F " for fire." Pr ep ar ation for fir ing Set safety catch to " F." Press magazine catch, releasing magazine which will swing forward until retained parallel with gun. Insert a filled charger (Fig. S into magazine. When magazine platform is fully depressed and cartridge catch has engaged last round, withdraw charger, leaving magazine fully charged. Disengage loading position catch by shifting lever on top of magazine to the left. Rotate magazine into feed opening until engaged by magazine catch. I hiring this
FlO. 7. 15
l i e 9. Breoa L.A1.G.
W te d 'u p fi m?o m«i C a tC h "*11 au,on,at ‘c a l l >' h* d | sengagcd. so th at magazine spring can expand Pull back and release cocking handle. Cessation of fire . u ° n f i r e w , t !? a !10.1 b a r r c l - Pul1 back cocking handle, secure it by means of its catch an I make safe. I he reason for doing this is th at the gun stops with th e breech closed on a live round au J if the breech is not promptly opened again, the round in the cham ber ••‘ cook otf.'* by transfer of heat from the barrel. be tirsd 16 Unloa ding Pull back cocking handle, secure it by means of its catch and make safe. Ro tate magazine forward, depress cartrid ge catch below magazine and unload remaining rounds. Remove four rounds left in feed opening of m agazine mouthpiece. Strip pin g i. Darrel changing After about 150 rounds, change barrel as follows:— Pull back cocking handle, secure it by means of its catch and mak e safe. Pull ou t ami lower barre l catch. Ro tate b arrel to the left by means of carrying handle u ntil handle almost touches l»«u rel casing and push barrel forward until clear of locking nut. Raise rea r end of barrel and remove to the rear. Insert new barrel, reversing above procedure. Make sure barre l c atch engages properly so new barrel c ann ot rotate. ii. Stripping sequence (a) Unload and make certain no live round remains in cham ber, magazine mou thpiece oi magazine. (ft) Squeeze and push forward body end cap cat ch. Ro tate bu tt 60 degs. and remove bu tt, return spring, return spring guide and buff r spring. ; Pull back cocking handle ami remove breech block, firing pin and firing pin spring (if no t already o ut). Pull cocking ha ndle fully b ack and then outwards and remove it. ((/) Shift Ixxly cover c atch to A. Remove body cover hinge pin and body cover. (*) Swing out magazine until at 45 degs. to gun. Depress magazine binge catch (in front of magazine) and pull magazine o utw ards to remove it. \
\ • I? \ ( / ) Raise and remove magazine mo uthpiece retainc i .located right re ar o f bo dy ). inse rt fing er in to ’M block wa y and push out ejector holder. Shift magazine mo uthpiece hack until its tee th arc op |)M ite gaps in bo dy and remo ve it. |g) Rem ove barre l as described abo ve under " Barrel chan gin g." ft ) Fu rthe r st rip ping w ill no t no rm ally be require d, tho ugh it is possible to remove the loc kin g nu t and locking cam as fo llo w s:— Raise locking cam catch ho riz ont ally front or rear and remove it. Depress lock ing nu t catch and rotate locking nu t cloc kwise. I*u li back and remove locking cam ?>ome difficulty ma y l»c experienced in doing th is w ithout the use of su ita ble too ls). Insert fing er in lo ck ing nut and li ft it out. To reassemble the gun . proceed in the reverse order.
15. 6-5 m m. (-256 In.) L.M .G., Mod. G—Breda Fur ile Mdraghatore Breda, Mod. C. 'I he 6-5 mm. L.M .G. Mod. C (or 5 C) is ba sic ally the same weapon as the Model 30. Th e Model C, however, has a rear crosspiece w ith tra versing handles instea d o f a b u tt and pis tol grip. I t is also prov ided w ith a tr ip od mou nting instead of a bip od and weighs about 4 lb. more than the Model 30. 16. 7 35 mm . ( 289 in. L.M .G., Mod. 38 -Bre da b'ueile Mtlra ghafo re Breda, Mo d. 38 1 his L.M.G . is s im ila r to the Model 30 in all respects exc ept calibre . As alreadv sta ted , it fires the same am mun ition as the .Model 38 rille. 18
PA RT V. IT AL IA N MED IU M MAC HI NE GUNS 17. In tr od uc to ry no te Medinin machine guns of various differe nt types and calibres are in service in the Italian Army. The commonest of these at present is the 8 mm (-315 in model 35 1 iat, which is. in elh ct, a modernised version of the last war 8-5 mm. (-256 in.) model 14 Fiat. The model 14 I iat is now obsolescent, though it is still used for training. The 8 mm. Breda model 37, which fires the same amm unition as the 1 iat model 35. is n ot yet very widely used, but is probably intended to replace the l'ia t in due course. Certain units are equipp 'd with the 8 mm. Austrian Schwarzlose (Sec. 34), although the rimmed case ammun ition of this MG . will not lit Italian made M.Gs. The 7-7 mm. (-303 in.) Breda*Safat a ircraft M.G. is o f interest because it w ill lire British -303 in. Mark V II ammun ition , and can easily be adapted for land service, e.g. on an A.A. mounting. 18. 6-5 m m . M ed ium M .G ., M od . 14 Fi at (R cv el li). (F ig . 10) M tlraglialricg Fiat, Mod. 14 A water-cooled machine gun with box magazine feed. The magazine is in the form of a rectangular box divided into ten compartments, each of which holds five rounds. Gen er al par ticu la rs Calibre : 6-5 mm. (-256 in .). Weight of gun (witho ut water) : 37J lb. Weight of mounting 50 lb. (approx ), length overall : 46J in. Maximum (cyclic) rate of fire : 500 rounds per minute FiO. 10.— 6-5 mm. M.M.G. M o d . 14— I-IAT (R bVEUI Sig hts V and barleycorn, '200-2,000 metres . Mounting : Tripod. Cooling : Water. Sa fe ty , pr ep ar ation for firi ng, et c. The procedure is similar to th at given below at See. 20 for the model 35 Fiat, with certain minor differences resulting from the employment of magazine feed and water cooling.
19. 7-7 m m . Aircr aft M .G . Bre da -S af at . (F ig . 11) 3/ ttra glia tn ce Bre da -S af at , Cal. 7-7 This gun, which is extensively used in Italian aircraft, will fire British standard -303 '•». Mark VI, ammunition.
l io. 11.—7«7 mm. Aircraft M.G.— Breda-Safat. 21 General particulars Calibre : 7*7 mm. (-303 in.) Weig ht: 27 lb. Length overall : 44 in. Maximum (cyclic) rate of fire (firing British Mark VII ammunition) : 800 rounds per minute. Sights : Fores igh t: in. ball on pillar. Backsight: 1 in. ring with cross-wires on pillar. System of operation : Recoil, assisted by muzzle blast. Barrel and breech block are locked together during first A in- recoil. Feed : Disintegrating metallic link belt. Direction of feed : Right to left in gun illustrated, but feed iu opposite directiou is equally common. Safety Shift safety lever on feed cover to the right for *' safe ” and forward for " fire Pre para tion f or f iri ng Set safety lever to “ fire Insert belt in feed opei mg. Draw cocking handle twice to the rear, and then let it go forward again to transfer a round from magazine to chamber. P a rti a l str ip p in g i. lively group Rotate buffer end cap about 45 degrees left or righc, keeping its catch disengaged. Remove cud cap and buffer. Pull out back block fixing pin and remove back block upwards. l*ull back cocking handle and withdraw breech block and feed c.m plate from body. Remove inspection cover after withdrawing its axis pin. Slide front cover plate backward until projections on cover plate are opposite gaps in body and lift out cover plate. Shift feed pawl slide towards ejection opening and, depressing feed pawl, remove feed pawl slide. 22 U. Bartel group Press in barrel casing catch in front end of body. Unscrew barrel casing clockwise and remove. The barn-1 can only be removed after dismantling the locking and accelerator mechanism This necessitates th e re moval of the locking link cotter and the accelerator ax is pin. and it is not. therefore, an easy or rapid proceeding. To reassemble the gun, reverse the procedure for stripping.
20. 8 m m . M edium M .G ., Mod. 35— Fl at (K ev elll) . (F ig . 12) .V ilruglialnce Fiat, Mod. 35 This M G. is a modification of th e model 14 M.G., an 8 mm. air-cooled barre l and belt feed being sub stit uted for the 6-5 mm. water-cooled barrel and multiple box magazine of the older model. Some, though not all. model 35 M.Gs. are actually converted model 14's. The barre l and breech block are temporarily interlocked by a spring-loaded locking wedge, which is pivoted in the body. On firing, the barrel and breech block recoil toge ther, rotating the locking wedge until it frees the breech block. The breech block is then forced to the rear by the thrust of the spent case. There is no automatic lubrication of cartridge or chamber. G en er al par ticu la rs Calibre : 8 nun. (-315 in.). Weight of guu : 39 lb. 12 oz. . Weight of m ounting : 50 lb. (approx.) * le ngth overall : 49} in. Maximum (cyclic) rate of fire : 600 rounds per minute. Sights: Opeu " V " leaf backsight gradua ted 200-2,400 me tre s; barleycorn foresight Mounting : Tripod. 23
RtAR CROSS PiCCt
u t y r «
.. L . .. [
8 mm . M ed iu m M.G. Mo d. 35 t—F iat (R ev ellij 24 Cooling : Air. Feed : Non-disintegrating metal belt normally holding 50 rounds but can be assembled in various lengths. Safety Adjust change lever on rear cross-piece to vertical position marked SICUKA for ** safe Provision for single shot and automatic Are Shift change lever to left upjxjsitc LENTO for ** single shot ” and to right opposite RAPIDO for " automatic fire Pr ov ision for co nt ro lli ng ra te of Are Shift arrow-shaped control lever on left of body to horizontal position for highest rate and to vertical position for slow rate of lire. Preparation for Aring Insert belt into feed block from left side. Set change lever for " single shot ” or “ autom atic ", and control lever for high or low rate of fire, as required. Cock gun by pulling back cocking handle on rea r of breech block and allowing it to go forward again. The firing levor is located between the traversing handles on the rear cross-piece. Removal of belt Depress quick release lever below feed block on right side and pull out belt. Purtial stripping t Darrel changing After firing about 300 -400 rounds in bursts of about 10 rounds every 4-5 seconds the barrel should be changed as follows :— Press barrel catch inwards and rotate barrel to left. Then push barrel forward until breech is clear of body extension, and finally withdraw barrel upwards and to the rear. 25 ins ert new barrel, reversing above procedure. ii. To change breech bloch Remove breech block as follows :— Pull r ear cross-piece fixing pin to left. Hinge down rear cross-piece. Remove inspection cover from righ t side of body. Remove cotter from re ar end of body above inspection plate. Disconnect feed lever spring from feed lever cam plate. Disengage locking wedge connecting rod and spring from seating. Breech block can now be removed by pulling back cocking handle. Assemble new breech block to gun as follows : Insert breech block in barrel extension and push it forward, while pressing down front hook of connecting rod. Connect feed lever spring to feed lever cam plate. Press locking wedge connecting rod and spring into seating. Replace inspection cover. Position rear cross-piece and fixing pin. Set change lever to RAPTDO ami press trigger. Push firing pin home and replace cotter. Alternatively, breech block can be withdrawn immediately afte r removing cotter, but locking wedge must then be forced down by means of a screwdriver when inserting new breech block. Ul. To change firing pin and spring Remove firing pin and spring as follows : I*ul1 rear cross-piece fixing pin to left. Hinge down rear cross-piece. Remove cotter. Pull breech block to rear until bent of firing pin haa passed over sear. Remove firing pin. Assemble new firing pin and spring as follows : Set change lever to RAPIDO. Push firing pin and spring into breech block, at same time pressing thumb-piece of firing lever. Replace cotter. Replace rear cross-piece and fixing pin. Holding-open device A hand-operated holding-open device, eithe r in the position shown or on top of the body, enables the breech block to be retained in the rear position and facilitates clearing of stoppages, etc. To operate t his device, pull back cocking handle and push forward thumb-piece of holding-open device. 26 Clean ing an d oilin g It is essential th at the chamber and cartridges should lie clean anti u-cll lubricated. The sable applies to a lesser extent to the mechanism of the gun. The oil should be freely applied and larger supplies of oil aie necessary tha n with most othe r medium M.Gs. La ying The gun can be laid " direct ” by means of the open sights, or ** indirect ” using the elevation and trav ersing scales on the tripod moun ting. The trav ersing scale is gradu ated from 600-1,000 mils (34-56 degrees), the cen tral position being the 800 inil gradua tion (45 degrees) and the elevation scale from 621 mils (35 degrees) depression to 144 mils (25 degrees) elevation. For particulars of the mil syste m of angular measurement, st t Sec. 42. Range table A range table is attached at Appendix A. 21. 8 m m . M ed ium M .G ., Mod. 37—B re da . (Fig. 13) Milragliatrice Breda, Mod. 37 This M.G. has a fixed barrel and is gas operated. The breech is positively locked at the moment of firing, the breech block being forced u p (without tilting) by the action of inclined surfaces on the piston extension, so th at a projection on its upper surface engages in an opening in the top of the body. The cartridges are fed from plate chargers holding 20 rounds, each roun d being housed in a sepa rate com partment. After firing, the em pty cases, instead of being ejected, are replaced in the com partme nts of the plate charger. V)
Fig. 13— 6 mm. M.M.G. Mod. 3 /—Breda 2R General par ticu lars Calibre : 8 mm. (*315 in.). Weight of gun : 42} lb. Weight of mounting : 41} lb. Length overall : 50 in. Maximum (cyclic) rate of fire : 450 rounds per minute. Sights : Leaf backsight graduated 300-3,000 metres ; blade foresight. Mounting : Tripod. Cooling : Air. Feed : 20 round plate charger. Provision for sing le sh o t fire : None. Safety Shift safety catch on top of rear cross-piece to S for " safe ” and to F for " fire.” Pr ep ar atio n for firing Pull cocking handle fully back, causing piston extension to travel back past sear, until it is retained by holding-open device. Then retu rn cocking handle to its forward position. Insert a filled plate charger into feed opening on left, pushing it in as far as it will go. Plate charger will then release holding-open device and allow piston to go forward until retained by sear. Set s afety catch to " fire.’ The gun is now ready for firing. To fire Press trigger thumb-piece between traversing handles. Successive plate chargers can now be fired off without a (peak by maintaining pressure on the digger thumb pioce and inserting fresh filled chaigers, one immediately behind the other. 26 Cessation of fire The gun will cease firing with the breech o pen :— i. On release of the trigger thumb-piece, whereupon the sear will rise and ret ain the piston extension. ii. On firing the last round of a pla te cha rger which is no t imm ediately followed by ano ther. In this case the piston extension will be retain ed by the holding-open device. T o unlo ad Depress tail of right feed sto p paw l (tail pro jec ts throug h open ing in rig ht of body) and pull out plate charger to right. If difficulty is experienced raise body cover an d lift o ut plate charger. Any cartridg e rem aining in c hamb er must be removed (the M.G. tool roll contains a forked h na d ext rac tor for this purpose). Set safety catch to " safe.’* G as re gula to r Gas regula tor on fro nt end of gas cylinder has ten dilfereut sellings (num bered 0—9). At setting 0. passage from gas vent is completely closed and a t setting 9 comp letely open. Adjustments are effected by means of a small sp ann er from the M.G. tool roll. Lu brication The mechan ism requires normal lubrication , bu t the re is no need to lub ricate the cartridges. T rip od m ou n ti n g The mount ing is provided with elevating and traversing gears, which can be used in conjunction with the ope n sigh ts for direct laying, or with the elevatin g and tra verse scales for indir.^ct laying. Elevation is ad justa ble from 360 mils (20 deg rees> depression to 360 (20 degrees) elevation, with a micrometer ad justmen t from -16 nu b (2 degrees 30 minutes) depiession to 36 mils (2 degrees) elevation. For particular s of the mtl system of angular measurem ent, see Sec. 42. Til? main tra ve njr scale is gra du ate d fpTP 4 SO mils (25 degrees) to 1.150 mils (65 degrees) ip 30 10 mil steps, the central position being a t 800 mils (45 degrees). An additional 150 mils (8 degrees 30 minutes) traverse is provided by an independent micrometer adjustment. Pa rtia l stripp in g 1. Barrel changing The barrel is sufficiently heavy to enable it to tire a large number ot rounds in quick succession without oxerheating. The barrel must, however, be changed from time to time, as follows :— Unload. Puli cocking handle fully back. Rotate body cover binge pin, thereby disengaging barrel catch. Place barrel key from M.G. tool roll over gas block, rota te barrel 60 degrees and remove. Fit new barrel, reversing above procedure. ii. To change breech block Disengage brxly cover catches by shifting lever ui front cover catch from C to A and pushing forward rear cover catch. Raise body cover and fold it forward. Pull o ut rea r cross-piece fixing pin and remove rear cross-piece, easing compression of return spring. Remove retu rn spring. Pull cocking handle smartly to rear and remove piston and breech block. Remove breech block from piston extension. Fit new breech block, reversing above procedure. Note, however, tha t holding-open device must be kept depressed to perm it replacement of piston and breech block. Runge tab le A range table is attached at Appeudix A. 22 . 8 m m . M ed ium M .G ., Mod. 38 -B re da . (F ig . 14) Mitmghatn ce Breda, M od. 38 . This is a tank pattern M.G. and is fitted as stan dard in the following Italian tanks :— 1 he 61 ton L 6 40, the 11 ton M 11 39, and the 13 ton M 13,40. Il is included briefly here because the Italians have also adapted it for use as an infantry M WO” " ^ 5 ,C H T
------no vL Ar ot SAFETY ZATCh A CHA,ICE LEVER
Wo. 11. s mm. M.M.G. Moo 3a— Ukboa 32 Por this purpose the M.G. is mounted on an M.G. tripod as shown in Fig. 14 by means of an adapter and is fitted with a tempora ry backsight on the right of the body and a temporary foresight on the right of the barrel at the muzzle. These temporary open sights take the place of the optical sight used when the M.G. is tank mounted. The M.G. is also sometimes fitted with a " cartwheel ” type A.A. sight and arranged either alone or with anothe r " twin ” M.G. on an A.A. mounting. General particulars Calibre : 8 nun. (-315 in.). Weight of gun : 31 > lb. Length overall: 35 J in. Maximum (cyclic) rate of fire : 600 r.p.m. System of operation : Gas piston. Feed : 24 round vertical box magazine.
23. 12*7 m m . Airc ra ft M.G.—Bre da -S af ut (not ill us tr at ed ) Mitraglialrtee Breda-Safat, Cal. 12-7 This weapon, which is extensively used on Italiau aircraft, is to all intents and purposes a “ scaled-up ” version of the 7-7 mm. Breda-Safat. It will not fire British *5 in. S.A.A. and cann ot easily lie adapted for laud service, since the cocking, firing and trigger mechanism are all operated hydraulically. Gen er al pa rt ic ul ar s Calibre : S mm. (-315 in.). Weig ht: 67 j lb. leng th ove rall: 53 | iq. Maximum (cyclic) rate of fire : 650 r.p.m. System of operation : Recoil assisted by muzzle blast. Feed Disintegrating metallic link belt.
PART VI.—ITALIAN HAND GRENADES 24. Introductory note 1 hree models of hand grenade are in service use. They are all very light grenades, functioned by " all ways ” percussion fuzes and similar in general construction. Fragm entation is very poor and reliance is placed on blast for effect.
25. Hand grenade S.R.C.M.. Mod. 35. (Sre Fig. 15) Bemba a mana S.R.C.M., Mad. 35 This grenade is cylindrical in shape. It has an outer casing in top halves which screw together about the middle and an inner casing consisting of two metal cylinders. The striker and a spring which holds the striker away from the deton ator are housed in the upper cylinder, while the lower cylinder contains the deto nato r and the explosive tilling. General particulars Weigh t: 7 oz. Weight of explosive : 1 -5 oz. Overall length: 31 in. Maximum diameter : 2-5 in. 34 Safety A large safety cap covers the top and part of the side of the grenade and is held in position by a metal strip, to which is atta che d a rubber tab. The safety cap is connected by a short chain to a safety bar. In addition a shutte r is fitted between the striker and the de tona tor which does not open u ntil impact takes place. To am i and fire The grenade is grasped in the right hand and the rubber tab pulled away with the left band. The grenade is th en thrown in the usual manner. The safety cap comes away during fight and. after a short delay, pulls out the safety bar by means of th e cl tain. On impact the s hu tter moves and the striker can fire th e detonato r.
26. Ha nd g re na de B re da , Mo d. 35. (See F ig. 16) Bomba a mano Breda. Mod. 35 This grenade is longer and thinner tha n the S.R.C.M., Mod. 35, and has hemispherical ends. General particulars W eigh t: 7 oz. Weight of explosive : 21 oz. Overall length : 3 8 in. Maximum diam eter: 2 1 in. Safety The .safety arrangements consist of a safety rap held in position by a brass strip with a rubber tab and a safety bar secured to the safety cap by a brass taj»e wound round the grenade. 3$
ITALIAN HAND-GRENADES ff 1 / UJ /
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Fio. 15.—S.R.CJhl. .Mod. 35 Fio. 16.—Brxda Mod. 35 Fio. 17.—O.T.O. Mod. 35 so To arm and fire T h e 8r e n i u l c » *n th* n ght hand and the brass strip pulled o ut bv means of the rubber tab. In Hight the safety cap falls off and, afte r a delay, pulls out the safety bar. The grenade is then
27. Hand grenade O .T .O ., Mod. 35. (See Fig. 17) Romhn a tnano O.T.O., Mod. 35 rhe 0.1 ,O. grenade has a very light casing made in two parts, namely, a cylindrical lower p art to which ls s. rewed an upper p art in the form of a cylinder of smaller dia meter topped by a truncated cone.
General particu lars Weig ht: 7-4 ox. Weight of explosive : 2-5 ox. Overall length : 3-4 in. Maximum diameter : 2-1 in. Safety This is \ery similar to the Breda, Mod. 35. To arm an d Are As for the Breda, Mod. 35. 37 28. Markings on hand grenades All three models are marked in the same way. the colour of th e body denoting the filling. 1 he large safety caps are not painted in these characteristic colours. Live (H E.) ...... Red. Practice (small charge)..-. ... White with a red band (J in. wide) around the centre. Instruction (inert) ...... Unpainted or painter! black. Practice, smoke (S.R.C.M. only) Yellow.
PART VII.—ITALIAN MORTARS 29. Introductory note The Italian Army have two standard mortars, namely a light mortar known as the 45 mm. (1-77 in.), Brixia, Mod. 35. and a medium 81 mm. (3 in.) mortar, Mod. 35. The light mortar has a number of good points, including a high rate of fire, steadiness in action and the fact that it folds conveniently for carrying; bu t these and other advantages, which have only been obtained at the expense of an unusually elaborate desijn, are largely offset by the poor fragmentation of the mortar bomb. The 81 mm. mortar is a good weapon of conventional Stokes Bran dt design. Using a light 7 | lb. bomb, it has a high maximum range a t full charge, due mainly toth e use of six large ballistitc- fifled secondaries. Fragm entation of both the light and heavy bjm bs is, however, relatively ineffective. 38 30 . 45 m in . lig ht m o rt a r, Mod . 3 5—B ri x la . (S,, Fi g. ift) M o r ia io d*au d io firi gi a. Mod. 35 This is a breech-loaded trigger fired weapon which is capable of " high angle ” and " low angle fire (i.e. it can fire at elevations above and below 45 degrees). Only one charge is employed, but a reduced charge efi'ect can be obtained by firing with ports in the barrel open. The cartridges are fed fmm a detachable box magazine fitted on top of the body, but the bomhs have to be loaded singly by hand. The mounting is a folding tripod, with a padded frame hinged to its rear leg. When the mortar is in the firing position, this padded frame acts as a cushion for the firer’s rhe'.t and. when folded for transport, it eases th e load on his shoulder*. General particulars Calibre: 45 mm. (1-77 in.). Weight (with mo unting): 34 lb. Maximum range (ports closed . 556 yards. Maximum range (ports open 352 yards. Magazine capacity : 10 cartridges. Weight of H.E. bomb : 1 lb. Sigh ts: Pillar backsight with vertical slot apertu re ; barleycorn foresight. Kate of fire (without re-aiming betw een rounds): 25 30 r.p.m. Safety Shift safety lever, on left of body, back (exposing letter S) for " safe " and forward (exposing letter F) for " fire." S9 RANGE SCALE
Fig. 18.— 45 mm. Mortar. Mod. 35— Brixia 40 Action of mechanism The barrel and breech block are both arranged for sliding movement in the body of the mortar under the control of a hand-operated actuatin g lever. Forward m ovement of this lever causes th e barrel to slide forward clear of the bomb feed opening and withdraws the breech block behind the cartridge feedway. Extraction and ejection of any cartridge in the chamber takes place during this movement. Assuming th at a bomb has been inserted in the bomb feed opening and th at a filled magazine is in position, rearward movement of the ac tuating lever will cause the barrel to slide back over the bomb and the breech block to return to the closed position transferring a cartridge from the magazine to the cartridge chamber. Continued backward movement of the actu ating lever after the breech has closed depresses the sear so as to allow the striker to go toward and fire the cartridge. The breech block is positively locked at th e moment of firing by the formation of a toggle joint between two levers of th e actu ating lever system. This join t remains unbroken until the actua ting lever is once more pushed forward to perm it reloading. Valve control lever The valve control lever, which is mounted on an eccentric on the righ t of the mortar in front of the right trunnion, controls the position of the barrel in the body at the moment of firing. If the lever is pushed forward, bringing letter C into view, the barrel will be fully w ithdrawn into the body and th e ports in the barrel and body will be out of register, i.e .'' closed.” If it is pulled back, bringing letter A into view, the barrel will be further forward in the body and the two sets of ports will be in register with each other, i.e. " open.” Loa ding an d firing Set safety lever to F and valve control lever to A o r C as required. Raise backsight and fit full magazine. Push actuating lever forward. Insert bomb (previously uncapped) into bomb feed 41 opening, and pull actuating lever fully back to close the breech and fire the mortar in one movement. If an interval b required before firing, commence by setting safety lever to S and then proceed as above. In thi s case, however, the movement of the actuating lever to fire the mortar can only lx completed after the safety lever has been set to F. IYaversing and elevating gears The tripod mou nting is provided with elevating and traversing gears, and corresponding dam ping means. The traversing handw heel is on the right beneath the body of the mo rtar and the elevation clamping lever acts on the r igh t elevating arc. A range scale (see Fig. 18) grad uated in 50 m etre steps and numbered in hundred s of metres, is fixed on the inside of the left elevating arc. The front half of this scale indicates ranges a t low angle nre {tiro tesu) and the rear half a t high angle fire {tiro curvo). The left side is used when t he ports in the barrel are open {valvola aperta) and the right side when the ports are closed {valvola chiusa). 1 he mid position corresponds to 322 me tres (352 yds.) with the ports open and 536 metres (586 yds.) with the ports closed. A to tal traverse of 200 mils (I l degrees 27 minutes)—100 mils each side of zero—is indicated on a scale on the traversing arc. For particula rs of the mil system of angu lar measurement, see Sec. 42. Angle of sigh t Angle of sight is tak en in to account, when necessary, by s etting a false range on the range scale. The appropria te false range is obtained from the tabic a ttached a t Appendix B. Strip pi ng Depress spring catch in front of foresight, and rotate an d remove milled ring. Depress spring catch at rear end of body, and ro tate and remove body end cap. fy sb actuating level forward until keys on pivots are opposite corresponding key ways in levers 42 Depress actuating lever catch and remove actuating lever Remove intermediate lever, breech block lever and barrel lever. Remove barrel and breech block from body. Slide sear housing partly out of its guide on top of rear end of body. Raise sear vertical. Remove sear axis pin and scar. Rotate traversing handwheel until rear end of body is clear of its guide on traversing arc and lift body ofi tripod mounting. Insert forked end of combination tool (from spare p arts box) between striker head and striker retainer. Pull back striker until retainer is free to rotate. Rotate striker head and retainer and remove together from breech block, gradually releasing the pressure of the striker spring. Using point of striker, push out e xtra ctor axis pin and then remove extractor. The mortar bomb The H.E. bomb has a steel body and an aluminium tail. The tail is painted red to distinguish it from practice and instructional bombs, which have yellow and unpainted aluminium tails respectively. It is nose fuzed and is fitted with a safety cap which is held in position by a transverse safety strip. The safety cap provides for safety during transp ort a nd has to be removed prior to loading.
31. 81 m m . M ortar , Mo d. 35. (Sw Fi g. 19) Mortaio da 81 mm., Mod. 35 This mortar is of the same general typ e as the British 3-in. mortar. The chief differences are in the recoil gear and the cross-levelling gear. The recoil gear consists of two cylinders arranged side by side each containing a recoil spring and a pneumatic butler. The cross-levelling gear includes rough and fine adjustments. The rough adjustment is obtained by moving a sliding collar on the
44 oute r end of a connecting rod up or down the left leg and the fine adjustment by turning a nulled nut near the top of the left leg. The mechanism is finally locked by means of a riuted clamping nut. German 8 cm. mortar bombs 34 can be fired from this mortar, but British M.L. 3-in. mortar bombs are unsuitable, siuce the needle disc clip on the British bomb fouls the striker housing of the mortar and thus prevents a clean strike. Range tables for use when firing German bombs from the Italian mortar are not available, b ut a maximum range of the order o f 2,250 yds. can be expected at 45 degrees elevation, full charge, i.e. a slightly higher range tha n when fired from the German mortar 34. Gen eral pa rtic ul ar s Calibre: 81 mm. (3 in.). Total w eig ht: 129 lb. Weight of light bomb (g. a.): 7 j lb. Weight of heavy bomb (gr .c.): 15 lb. Number of charges (light bo mb): Seven (numbered 0-6). Number of charge • (heavy bo mb ): l ive .numbered 0-4). Maximum range (light bo mb): 4,429 yds. Maximum range (heavy b om b): 1,640 yds. To set up tire m or ta l Position base plate (dug in, if necessary). Disengage elevating crank from traversing screw yoke. Extend bipod legs abo ut 40 in. apart (adjust chain if necessary). Position bipod with elevating crank to the rear. Adjust cross-levelling gear until bubble is approximately central and clamp up. Turn elevating crank until abo ut 5 in. of elevating screw is exposed, insert ball on breech piece of barrel in one of sockets of base plate, keeping flat parts to the side. Rotate barrel 90 degrees. Secure clamping band round barrel between clamp position marks. Plate sight m socket on left of yoke. Preparation of ammunition Adjust arrow r»n fuze to “ I ” for instantaneous, or ” R ” for delayed action Remove felt plug from bomb and screw fuze in its place. The black lead foil nose cap cover is not removed for firing. Insert primary cartridge centrally in back of tail and one or more secondaries (if required) between the vanes. (Charge O-primary alone. Charge 1-primary plus 1 secondary.) To load and fire Same procedure as British 3-in. mortar. Dia l night The elevation quadrant is graduated from 40 to 90 decrees and deflection scales (dial and micrometer) from 0 to 6,400 mils. Beneath the black main scale on the dial is arranged a red slipping scale also marked in mils (for recording zero lines, etc.). l or particulars of the mil system of an.',ului measurement, sr« Sec. 42.
To change the strik er The strik er is screwed i nto the base of the barrel breech piece and is formed with a screw-driver slot to facilitate insertion and removal. Range tabl es Abridged range tables for this mortar are attached at Appendix C. 46 PART VIII. ITALIAN ANTI-TANK RIFLES 32. 20 tnm. A.Tk. Rifle—Solothurn. (Set Fiji. 20} I'ucilr attiicarro Solothurn da 20 mm. This A.Tk. rifle is a sell-loading, single shot weapon based on the Swiss 20 mm. A.Tk. rifle model S. 18/1000. It is fired from the shoulder off its bipod. General particulars Calibre: 20 mm. (-79 in.}. Weight with empty magazine: 120J lb. Overall length : 7 ft. 1 in. (including recoil reducer). Kate of tire : 10-20 aimed rounds per minute. Sigh ts: (a) Blade foresight, leaf backsight graduated to 1,500 metres. (6) Telescopic sight mounted on bracket. System of operation : Recoil. Breech positively locked on firing by rotation of locking lugs. Feed : Magazine capable of holding 10 rounds, but normally loaded with 8 rounds only. On firing the last round, it is ejected autom atically. Safety The gun can be set to " safe ” or " fire " by means of a thumb-o|»erated catch on the pistol grip. The catch is moved down for ' safe " and up for " fire." Preparation for firing Rotate cocking handle clock'Use three or four turns until the breech block is retained by the sear. Then rotate cocking handle anti-clockwise to its original (position : the gun will not fire unless this is done. Insert a full magazine, (hereby disengaging the sear from the breech block which will go forward und feed a live round into the chamber. 47
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Fig . 20. 20 mm. A/T k Kif lr—-Sol ot hv r^ 4S Par tial strippin g i. Body group.— Remove magazine. Cock guu, and pull sear release lever (on left of gun opposite cocking handle) to allow breech block to go forward. Remove shoulder piece by turning catch on top and pushing shoulder piece downwards. Note.— Do not atte mp t to remove shoulder piece when gun is cocked or fingers may be injured by return spring. Rotate cocking handle half a turn to withdraw breech block from barrel extension. Return cocking handle an d remove re turn spring and breech block from body of gun. Depress milled catch just behind cocking handle axis, slide body side plate about half an inch to rear so as to bring projections on side pla te opposite gaps in body, and remove side plate together with cocking handle. Pull down milled knob on left of gun in front of sear release lever, swing release lever outwards and away from gun body, release milled knob and pull downwards on handle, and then remove sear and ejector. ii. Barrel and barrel extension.—Supporting barrel, withdraw body hinge pin. Barrel cannot be removed unless in fully forward position when red mark on barrel coincides with red mark on body. To return barrel to Toward position, after cocking to strip body group, press up catch located beneath barrel extension and about 8 in. behind bipod, pulling barrel forward simultaneously. Depress barrel locking catch which projects forward behind bipod hinge pin. r ota te barrel about 90 degrees anti-clockwise and remove it by pulling i t forward.
Reassembly Reverse procedure for stripping, noting following po ints:— Barrel extension must be in forward position before barrel can be inserted. Barrel and barrel extension must be in recoiled position before body hinge pin can be replaced. 49 If difficulty la experienced in closing hinged parts, make certain groove in sleeve of barrel extension is in position to allow entry of stud which rotates it. Indication mark on sprocket of cocking mechanism should be to the rear when replacing body side plate.
PART IX.—AUST RIAN WEAPONS USED IN THE ITALIAN ARMY 33. Various Austrian weapons, which were handed over to the Italians at the end of th e 1914-18 War, are still used by Italian troops. These weapons include the "stra ig ht -p ul l” Mannlicher rifle (w* 34 below) and the Schwarzlose medium machine gun (see 35 below), both of which are important, firstly because they are still standard weapons in several continental armies and secondly because they embody a number of unusual technical features. Both these weapons fire a tyj>e of 8 mm. rimmed case am munition which will not fit any Italian- made weapon. 34. 8 mm . Rifle, Mod. 95—Mannlicher. (Sea Fig. 21) Futile Mannlicher This is a clip-loaded rifle with a " straight-pull ” bolt action. As in the Mannlicher-Carcano, the di p is inserted in the magazine with the cartridges and. afte r all the cartridges have been forced out of it, falls out through an o|xniing in the bottom of the magazine. The bolt is actuated by a straight forward and backward pull on the bolt lever which is not raised and lowered during the opening and closing of the breech. The breech is locked by a separate rotating bolt head formed with locking lugs tha t engage in recesses in the body. The rotation of the lx>lt head into and out of the locking position is biought about by the interaction of helical feathers in the stem of the bolt head with corresponding helical grooves in the bolt cylinder. «0
General particulars Calibre: 6 mm. (3*15 in.) Weight (without ba yo net): 9 lb. 1 oz. Length (without bayonet) : 51 in. Sights : i. Open “ V ” tangen t backsight aud barleycorn foresight; backsight graduated Iroin 600 to 2.400 paces. ii. Battle sigh t for 500 paces, obtainab le by laying tangen t sight flat, iii. Extreme range mark for 2,600 paces is provided on top of tang ent sight frame. Feed : Fixed magazine, clip-loaded with 5 cartridges. Safety Rotate safety catch, located on left rear of cocking lever upwards for " safe ” and over to the left for " fire.” This can be done when cither cocked or uncocked. Preparation for firing Set safety catch to ” fire.” Pull bolt fully back. Insert a clip of cartridges into the magazine and then push bolt forward again. 81 Removal of bolt Pull b olt back. Push trigger forward to disengage bolt stop and remove bolt to the rear. Re placem ent of bolt Make sure tha t locking lugs are in line with bolt guides and that dovetail puide ribon bottom of bolt enters dovetail guide groove in body. Push bolt to the front, keeping trigger pressed forward. 35. 8 m m. Med ium M.G ., Mod. 07/12—Schw arz lose. (Set F ig. 22) Mitraghairice Schwarsiost This M.G. operates on the “ blowback" principle, l.e. the breech block is not locked to the barrel and is forced to th e rear by the projection of the spent case. To facilitate clean ejection every round is automatically lubricated from an oil reservoir in the cover of the body. The essential delay in the opening of th e breech block is brought about by the combination of a strong return spring, exceptionally heavy moving parts, and the partial formation of an elbow joint by the crank and link which connect the breech biock to the body. The combinat on of those three factors presents considerable resistance to the initial movement of the spent <-ase and breech block, which allows the gas pressure in the barrel to fall to within safe limits before the breech opens. An additional factor tha t increases the safety margin is the use of an unusually short barrel. General particulars Calibre: 8 mm. (-315 in.) Weight of gun and tripod mounting : 80 lb. (approx.) Weight of gun only (less water and oil): 44 lb. Length overall of gun 37 in. (approx.) Maximum (cyclic) rate of fire : 4UQ rds. per min. /F or es ig ht —barleycorn, adjustable laterally. * 1 v Backsight—radial " V,” graduated 200-2,400 j»aces. 82 Feed : 250 rd. fabric belt, fed from right to left. Cooling : Water, pints. Preparation for firing Insert belt from right over " paddle’* type feed wheel and pull back crank handle three times.
Fig . 22 .— 8 mm. M.G. Mod . 07 /12 Schw arz losk. f<» fire \ Press safety lever between traversing handles to the right and simultane-»usly press trigger lever. P art ia l str ip p in g ',i. Breech block. Unscrew body locking pin at right of trigger. Rotate rear cross-piece one quarter turn and remove, being careful to release the powerful retu rn spring gently. Remove firing pin, breech block crank and link. ii. Feed mechanurn.— Rotate feed locking pin, draw back sidcplate and lower. Suin g out feed mechanism and lower. f iii. Barrel.—Ro tate pin at chamber end and unscrew flash eliminator, turn Ixirrel clockwise one-third turn and disengage.
PA RT X.—GE RM AN WEA PONS (Revised particulars) 36 . T he G erm an 9 m m . (-35 in .) P is to l 38 and th e 5 cm . (2 In . M o rt ar l. G r. W .3 6 havy already been dealt with briefly in " Enemy Weapons, Pa rt I—German Infantry Weapons. Further information on these two weapons is now available, and revised particulars are given below. 37. 9 m m . Pistol 38—W alth er . (See Fig. 23) Pistole 38. This self-loading pistol, which is now a standard German army weapon, is also used in the Swedish army It is an accurate weapon and handles well, the general feel being similar to tha t of the Luger pistol 08. except that the upward kick on liring is not so marked. I he breech is positively locked at the moment of firing by a locking cam, which is pivoted under the barrel and has locking lugs for engagement with recesses in the slide. On firing, the barrel recoils a short distance with the slide, caus.ug a plunger to strike pa rt of the body and unlock the breech, after whleh the slide continues to the rear under the action of the spent case. A4 SA FLTY CATCH INQiCA TO A
M 6 A 2 !f l£ CATCH The trigger and hammer mechanism is of the " Walther " single or double a< tion type, and can o|teratc independently of the recoiling portions of the pistol. I hus. if a misfire occurs, the trigger ah lie re pressed without having to pull the slide back. A holding-open device retains the s'ide in the rear position when the ina„.« m c is cm pt j.a nd an indicator in tlw form of a pm protrudes ahout | in. from the rear of the slide when a round is in the chamber. The latter is a useful adjunc t for night work, since it cnab.es the lirer to tell by feel w hether there is a round in the chamber. Ge neral pa rt ic ul ar s Calibre : 9 nun. (-35 in.). Weight w ithout magazine 1 lb. 15 oz. Weight with emp ty magazine: 2 lb. 1^ oz. Weight with full magazine : 2 lb. 5 | oz. Length overall : 81 in. Length of barrel : 4J in. . . . . , . „ Ammunition : 9 mm. parabellum as for pistofOS (will lire same ammunition as British C StenA machine carbine). Feed : Removable 8 round magazine in butt. Safety .. . .. Raise safety catch, uncovering letter F for " fire ” anil lower it. uncovering letter S for sale . When cocked, the pistol can be uncocked by setting safety catch to safe . This releases the hammer, and at the same time locks the firing pin in its rear position. Preparation for firing Set safety catch to fire ' Insert full magazine. Pull slide fully l»ack and let it go smartly forward again to transfer a round from magazine to chamber. The pistol is now lo ad ed and cocked and can be fired " single action •rt Alte rnatively se t sa fe ty ca tch to ' safe " and procee.l as alx.ve. I la- pistol is now totirle.1, but no t e o , sc ,I W he n re ady to lir e . pash sa f ty catc h up and lire fir st ...... 1 •• double ae tk .il I.C. In .1 s tio u g p ill on trigger, nln cli coc ks and lires pistol, or " single ac tio n " af te r coc king the hammer by th um b as with a servic e revolver. P a rti a l str ip p in g h .r J . n ^ I t C,npty nia ?a Z ,in C ‘ u ” s l i ' 1' ^ c k u , , t i l ' w i t h s l °P l‘ on left of IxhIv. Rotate a r« i. tam ing pin clo. ku ise ab ou t 13a degrees. Rem ove ma gaz ine , allow slid e to go forw ard by barre l from Cs'lide° n ° l ** * , ress ,ripRrr an Re as sembly I , i n » « * Note th at, when ins ertin g bar rel an d slide mb) Isx ly they should be locked toge the r, To lock them , pull ou t locking cam plun ge r an d press up lock ing ca m. Bar rel an d slide will rem ain lo cke d if p isto l is assem bled upside down, hu t it will th en be nec es sa ry to press up ej ec tor a nd tw o lev ers o f saf et y me cha nism to prev en t them fouling re ar en d of slide ’ ’ 38. 5 cm . I.lftht M ortar 56. (S « l'ig . 24) Leichter Granatenwer/er 36— I.Gr.lF.36. r . l h l j '"’JP?" is th e st an da rd lig ht m or ta r of the Ge rm an Arm y. It is muzzle loaded a nd trig ger fired an d is designed for high angle fire only, i.e. fire at ang les of n ot less than 45 degrees. The m ortar Of n n e ^ m 'U ‘ ,b a s ?p l a J ! *1 t h trav er sing an d cross lev elling gear bein g carried on the back of one man and the barrel and elevating screw on the back of the other. 5 cm . Ligh t Moktar 36 58 General particulars Calibre : 50 mm. (2 in.). Weight in action : 31 lb. Maximum range : 568 yds. Weight of H.E. bomb (5 cm. Wgr. 36): 21b. Sights: Dial sight (early models only). — Kate of fire : 6 rounds can be fired in 8 seconds. To set up the mortar Adjust traverse to zero. Pull out barrel hinge pin. Holding barrel by its handle, adjust elevating screw to minimum elevation. Insert barrel in socket. Squeeze catches and engage lower end of elevating screw pillar in front end of traversing bracket. Push in barrel hinge pin and raise range indicator. la y roughly on target or aiming posts by turning baseplate and making use of white line on barrel. Prt ss baseplate into ground. I t must be properly embedded and should slope downward in directio n toward target. Elevation Kough adjustment is effected by depressing quick-release lever to free sliding collar and then elevating or depressing barrel by means of barrel handle. Fine adjustments are effected by rotating elev ating screw sleeve. Gun range is indicated on an arc fixed to the barrel, by a poin ter on the traversing bracket. The arc is graduated in metres from 60 to 520. The pointer can be folded down for transport. s* Line For rough adjustment and to lay mortar in original line, shift baseplate with traverse set at zero. The traversing handwheel is used to applv corrections for line after f first round. Traverse is indicated on a scale on the left of the cross-bar connecting the levelling handles. The scale has two rows of graduations which are offset so as to provide readings to the nearest 10 mils. For conversion factors (degrees and minutes to mils) see Sec. 42. Levelling The mortar is levelled by means of two levelling handles, one on each sitle of the baseplate, in conjunction with a levelling bubble carried on tlie traversing bracket to the left of the barrel. To move bubble forward, turn both handles to left ; bubble backward, handles right ; bubble to left, handle's outward ; and bubble to right, handles inward. Loading and firing Layer lies on hifi-front holding levelling handles and pressing down liaseplate with forearms. Loader on rig ht of layer carefully inserts lx,nib in muzzle and then places hand on trigger. On order to fire, loader pulls trigger lever slowly and evenly to the rear. To unload Pull out barrel hinge pin. Fold down range indicator and gently raise breech end of barrel until bomb slides out into hands of member of detachment waiting to receive it. 60 PART XI.—ITALIAN S.A .A. 39 . M ar ki ng s an d iden tif ic at ion Most of tlic s tandard types of Italian S.A.A. now in use can be identified with the aid of Fig. 25 and the table at Appendix D. Types not included in the appendix and Fig. 25 include : i. The amm unition for the 8 min. Mannlicher rifle and the 8 mm. Schwarzlose M.G., which has a rimmed ca se; and ii. the 20 mm. Solothurn A. Tk. rifle ammunition, which has a belted case and is approximately 8 inches long overa 1 The usual base markings on Italian S.A.A. are the year (in full of. abb reviated), the makers initials or letter and the initials of the inspecting authority . The makers initials may be given in full, for example S M I (- Soci et a Metallurgica Italiana) or B I’ I) ( = Bombrini. Parodi Delfmo) or a single let ter to indicate the manufa cturer may lx- inserted immediately before the year, c.j. B. 38 on the base of the 7 35 mtn. cartridge in Fig. 25. 40 . In te rc han ge ab ili ty A table showing which t\-pes of Italian S.A.A. are interchangeable with British and American S.A.A. is attach ed at Appendix E. PA RT XII. IT AL IA N U NIT S OF M EASU REM ENT 41 . Dista nc es Ranges and other distances are measured in metres, hectometres ( = 100 metres), and kilometres (-- 1,000 metres). 1 metre — 1 0936 yards and 1 yard =0 9144 metres Convenient approxim ate conversions are as follows Yards to metres subtract 10 per cent, from the number of sards. Metres to yards add 10 per ce nt, io the number of metres. Most artille ry slide rules have a gauge mark Y for converting metres to yard s and vice versa. $ 1 Q *»-«■?,&*! I. □ »MLftAlA ferS LjM TOJ. fer REVOLVER Mod 910 F« F ig . 25.— I talia n S.A.A. <52 42. Angles The practical u nit of angular m easurement used in most Italian sights aud fire control instrum ents is the conventional mi! (MILLESIMO COXVENZIOX M .E• . which is a convenient approximation to a math ematical unit known as the radian mil (MILLESIMO ESATTO). 'Ihere are 6,400 con ventional mils in a full circle, and one conventional mil is therefore equivalent to 0-0563 degrees or 3-375 minutes. One conventional mil, at any range, subtends a distance approxima tely equal to 1/1,000 of the range. In thi s resj»ect it is less accurate tha n the radian mil which by definition is equal to ----- !----- of a full circle. The num ber of conventional mils in a full circle (6,400) is, however, 2 jt X 1,000 divisible by four, whereas the number of radian mils (6,283) is not. Fig. 26 shows the relationship of degrees and minutes of angle to conventional mils. It will be seen from this diagram tha t :— 27 mins. ■■ 8 mils. 9 degrees 160 mils. 360 degrees -6,100 mils. Useful slide rule settings can be o btained from the above figures. For example, to find the number of conventional mils equal to 40 minutes, set 27 on A scale of slide rule opposite 8 on B scale. Move cursor to 40 on A scale and read off 12 mils (approximately) irom B scale. Similarly, to find th e num ber of degrees and minutes corresponding to 96 mils, set 9 on A scale opposite 160 on B scale. Move cursor to 98 on B scale and read off 5-5 degrees, i.e. 5 degrees 30 minutes. from A scale. CONVERS ION DIAGRAM (Coni' Mils to Degrees & Minutes) Fig. 26. 64 Another method of converting degrees to mils, based on the approxim ation 1 degree - 17*8 mils, is to multiply the number of degrees by 20 and then subtract 11 per cent, in two stages. e.g. 23 degrees multiply by 20 460 subtract 46 414 subtract 4-6 409 mils. 1 lie Ita lia ns measure ang les in a clockwise direction. In this respect they differ from most of the othe r countries tha t employ th e mil system of angular measurement. Degrees and minutes (GKADI E PK1.MI) are used in some range tables. Sometimes the degrees are divided into tenths ( 6') e.g. 15-95°= 15° 57'. 6$ APPENDIX A. RANGE TABLES FOR ITALIAN 8 mm. M .Gs.—FIAT MOD. 35 AND BREDA MOD. 37, FIRING MODEL 35 BALL AMMUNITION il a iu v Fiat 35 Br ed a 37 Ran ge Fi at 35 Breda 37 Ran ge Foi l 33 Breda 37 1 Kai uc T.K . T.K. T.K. T.E . T .E . T.K. (y da .) T.K . T.E . m ib ) i fm ib ) (m ite) (m ib ) (m ib ) (m ib ) (m ib ) (milai lo o 1 ' 1 I2oo III 19 2300 68 00 , 3400 15o 148 200 2 2 1300 22 24 00 I 74 » 3300 159 158 300 3 1400 25 23 00 80 7» 360 0 168 1C3 100 • • 1500 29 » 2600 80 « 3700 178 179 500 5 • iooo 33 32 2700 93 380 0 188 190 C00 8 6 1700 >7 30 2800 100 99 3900 199 202 700 8 29 00 1 1800 41 40 108 107 400 0 210 214 800 1 0 10 I9o u 4 0 45 3000 116 114 4100 221 226 900 » 12 2000 31 | uo 3100 124 1200 234 239 50 1 1000 14 14 2100 32 00 132 130 430 0 247 233 1100 1 . Id 2200 02 Co 33 00 141 139 440 0 2 6 1 266 1 Slm id anl condit io nal bu runiu lcr ?3U mmi. (2 9- 5 iit .) o f m er cu ry , to iii jien itur c 15* C. (59 * F .). hu mid tv 0- 5 (hu ll •a tu ra u-d ui t) . 66 APPENDIX B. RANGE TABLES EOR ITALIAN 45 mm . MORTAR. MOD . 35 --B RI XI A LOW AN GL E FIK E—VALVE PO R1 S OPEN LU U ANG LE 1 IRE— VALVE PORTS CLOSE R Sla nt • A.'S Negati ve. A,S Po sitive . Slant • A S Negative. A,S Positive. Itungc. — —11 — 5 | + 5j + 11 + 1 6 | + 2 Range. - 16} - I I -5 J + 5» + 11 + 10* + 22 Metres, dogs. degs. degs. degs degs. degs. degs li o .i w . degs. degs. degs. degs. degs. degs. degs InO — — _ 1 76 2-25 2-5 3 0 100 2 25 32 6 4 0 4 76 130 — — — 2 0 2-5 2 75 — 150 — — — 2-76 3-5 4 25 4 73 200 — — 1 2 5 2 76 — — 200 _ _ _ 3 0 4 0 4-ft — 250 — 1 26 2 0 3 0 _ _ — 250 — — 1 26 3-5 4 23 4-75 — 300 1-0 175 2 5 — — — 300 — — 1-75 4-0 4 75 — ' — 350 1-6 2-6 — — — — 350 — 1 0 2-8 4-26 6 0 — — 400 400 — 1-6 3 0 4-73 _ _ — 450 — 2 25 3 5 — — — — 600 1 25 2-76 4-0 — — — — 550 2 O 3 5 4-76 _ _ — — GOO 2 75 4 25 — — — — — HIGH ANG LE FI RE— VALVE POR TS OP EN . HIOH ANGLE FIR E—VALVE PO RT 8 CLO8ED. Slant • A S Negativ e. A,S Positive. Slant • A S Negative. A S Positive. Ran ge, - i q II .»> + 5 | 4 1 1 + 16J • 22 + 27 | + 33 Range. -1GJ -1 1 -5 * •+ 5> 4 II - It.J • 22 4-27J + 3 3 Metres. degs. degs. d egs. degs. degs. d egs. degs. degs. degs Melras. degs. d egs, .leg s. degs. degs. d ogs. d ogs. d egs . deg*. lo o — - • — 10 10 10 10 10 1 0 300 — — — 3 0 3 0 3 25 3 23 3 0 3 0 150 1 5 1 5 1 5 1 5 1 5 15 1 5 1-5 15 350 3 25 3 25 3-5 3 5 3 75 3-75 3-75 4 0 4 0 2 Chatu t 0 Cha rge I Cha rg e 2 Cha rg e 3 Ch arge 5 Ch arge 6 R an^r El ev atio n K anie hle vat u-o Ran ge ble vat io n Ran ge Ele va tion Ra ng e ti e v ati o o Ran ge Ele va tion Ra ng e E le vat io n yd» . • «».tin n» yd*. de g* nu r. . yd*. deg* . nun *. yd *, deg* nun* yd* , deg *. min*. vd». deg*, min*. vd* . deg* , min*. 100 85 — 500 75 — 1.000 75 50 l.J oO 73 2,0 00 71 30 2,50 0 70 50 3.0 00 69 — 200 79 JO 700 72 HI 1.2'it) 72 — 2.KMI (■(> 2.* «» « . 3,00 0 65 — 3.4 00 65 — 2 » 76 JO b*X> O‘> 50 1,400 (.8 — 2 ..'" ' 6 J 2.70’) 65 J.2i»> 63 — 3.6 00 63 — 30" 73 30 »»XI t». 1,'M.O M — 2.JOO 6 i 2 .Mm im 3.4 00 63 — J.-‘O0 (4) 30 350 70 JO 1 .0 0 62 — 1,700 61 50 2.4 90 58 50 3.9 *0 58 3.6.41 J7 — 4,00 0 57 30 49 ) 66 30 3.050 "0 - i.a co 58 50 2.50 0 ‘6 3.1’M) 56 30 3.7C i 55 4,2 00 M — 450 62 JO 1.100 57 JO 1,'MX) $5 — 2,6 00 53 3.2'>0 54 3.800 52 30 4,3 03 52 — 500 57 30 1,150 54 — 1,950 52 50 2,6 50 50 50 3,250 52 3.850 51 — 4,3 50 50 30 550 50 — 1.220 50 — 2,000 4S — 2,7 00 46 3.3 00 49 30 3,9 00 48 .10 1,0 j 4g — 557 4$ — 1,225 45 2,0 25 45 — 2,7 07 45 3.356 45 3,9 37 45 — 4,4 29 45 — HEAVY 15 lb. BOMB (G.C.) Cha rg e 0 Ch arge 1 Cha rg e 3 Ch ar ge 4 Eirv atto n Ra ng e Ele vat io n Ra nge Ele va tion Ran ge Ele vat io n Ra ng e Ele va tion yds . deg* min *. yd». yd*. deg* nun* yd*. de g* mine. y 1». deg *, nun*. 68 81 150 8.1 450 76 50 TOO 73 -*0 1,150 67 30 75 80 Ml 530 72 m W 71 1.250 65 100 30 250 77 to o 70 900 68 1,309 125 73 300 650 l.S 1,000 65 1.3 91 62 30 156 68 30 3JO 71 7-0 66 1,"JO 63 1 , HAl 61 175 64 491 730 63 30 1.100 61 1,4 50 33 30 200 57 30 450 SCI 61 1.150 59 1.5.10 56 219 45 50" 59 30 X«l 58 1..X I 56 3o 1,550 55 550 54 • - o 53 1,230 52 30 1.1410 49 30 574 45 946 45 1.2 96 45 1,640 45 68 APPE NDIX D ITALIAN S.A.A. (Markings and Recognition) Identification Serial Calibre No. Tyi» Annulus Service Colour Colour o f projoctilo 1 «-ft mm. Ball (round none bullet) Plain Pla ...... I^i nd 2 Ball ...... « * - ...... Land Ball ...... Plain ... Plain Air < Tracer Plain ... Plain with red tip Air 5 7-7 mm. A.P.L pre-ltfSO ...... Plain ... Plain ail b Idne tip (pierced) ... Air 0 7-7 mm. A.P.I. po»t-lB3V ...... Plain ... Plain with green tip (pierced) Air 7 7-7 mm. A P...... Oreen Plain with green tip Air H 8 mm. Bull ...... Plain ... Plain Lund 9 8 mm. A.P...... Plain w ith green tip Land 10 8 mm. Incendiary observing Plain with blue (or black) t ip. .. l 13 0 mm . Ba ll (G lis en ti pis to l) Red ca p Pla in ...... G lis en ti pi stol 14 9 mrti. Bol l (p ar ab ellu m ty p e for Gr een cap Pla in ...... 9 tu rn . B erett a Ber et ta m ac hi ne ca rb in e. m ac hi ne ca rb in e Mod. 38) IS 11 min. Bal l (sh ort ty po fo r B er et ta Pla in .. . Pla in ...... 0 m m . B ere tt a 8 .L . p is to l. Mod. 34) p is to l. Mod. 34 10 IO*3A mm. Ba ll (for Bod eo re volv er ) ... Pl ain .. . Pla in 10 .35 m m . B od eo re vo lv er . Mod. 8R 1 7 12*7 n un . Bal! Pl ain .. . Pla in Air tt> 12*7 n un. Tr ac er ...... Pla in .. . Pla in w ith red ti p Air III 12-7 inm , Il. E ...... Plain .. . Pla in w ith red band Air 20 12 * mm. H .E .T ...... Pla in .. . Pla in w ith bl ue b a n d ...... Air 21 12*7 inm. H .E .'A .P ./I/ T ,...... Pla in .. . Pla in w ith w h it e n o s e ...... Air IT A L IA N S.A .A .—- NOM ENCLATURE I' M * Ita lian nam« Bell ...... Car tc cc ia a P a m .ot to la O rd in aria a.p. PC BrOR ANTB T ru e r r .. . T ba cc iakt k (L o u ix o sa ) IlI CCIldui lY Inocn di ar ia il.E. Exp do siv a Observing Per A ooiomt amc xto A .P .T ...... TRACCIAXTB PER rOM*XTR A .P .I ...... PlCRFORANTC IMCCNDIABIA Dr ill or d unum DA EXERCTTAZIOHB Blan k 8 alv c 70 APPENDIX E ITALIAN S.A .A. (Interchangeability) Italian S .A .A . interchangeable with British and Am erican S. I. A. Nom inal calibre ami type Weapon from which ' Nominal calibre anti typ o Weapon from which ol Italian S.A.A . tired of British, ete . S.A.A. tired 7-7 m in. ball, A.l*.. et c. Uicd a-Safat Aireralt M.G. •3u3 in. Imll. A .l’., et c. •303 in. British w. apoi ot 9 mm. ball (abort typ e) Be ret t a pistol, Mod. 31 •-3K.I in. auto. Intll •380 Colt auto, pistol 9 mm . hall (parabollum ty pe) Be ne t ta machine carbine. 9 nun. ball (parah rliuin “ Sten ” anil Lanch Mod. 38 typ e) macliino carbine It eliui 6-3 nun., 7-35 min ., 8 mm., 9 nun. (Gliacnti) and 10-33 min. are not intcre.liangcablo with nny Britinli American S.A.A. • -38t» in. au to, amm uni tion should not lie confused with -38 auto , which ia a longe r an d moro powerful ij|>u < ■a tired from a dilteivnt weapon, tho -38 Colt auto, p istol. 71 APPENDIX F. GE RM AN S.A.A. Interchangeability) German S . l . 4 . interchangeable tvtth Britis h S.A .A . Nominal calibre arid typo Weapon from which Nominal calibre and typ e Weapon from which of German S.A .A. fired of Britiah S.A.A. fired - OS mm. ball (a.S.) A.P . 7 02 mm. German riflea 7 02 mm. Bena ball 7-02 m m. Beau M.O. (S.m.K.). etc . ami machine anna V m in . ImiII (Part. Patr. ti8) !) mm. pinin'. 08 and 38. 9 mm. (|Nirabi G nnan 7-92 mm. anti tank rifle anun unition cannot bo Cred from any H.itiah or A m eri can w ea pon. Prin ted by the Printing and Sta tion ery Service*, M.E P — 1875 l t ‘3*41 iii PART IV.—ITALIAN LIGHT MACHI GUNS PACK 13. Intro du cto ry n o t e ...... 12 14. 6-5 mm. I..M.G., Mod. 30— Breda .. 15. 6-5 mm. L.M.G., Mod. C—Breda ... 17 Id. 7-35 mm. L.M.t... Mod 3 fr -B re da 17 PAR T V.—ITA LIA N MEDIUM MACll B GUNS 17. Intro du ctory n o t e ...... 18 IS. 6-5 mm. medium M.G., Mod. 14—-Fiat (ReveKii ... 18 19. 7-7 mm. Aircraft M.G.—Bred a-S afa t ...... 20 20. 8 mm. medium M.G., Mod. 35—F iat (Revelli ... 22 2 1 .8 mm. medium M.G., Mod. 37—B red a ... 28 22. 8 mm medium M.G., Mod. 38—Breda ...... :o 23. 12-7 mm. air craft M.G.—B reda-Safat ...... 32 PA RT VI.—ITA LIA N HA ND GR E 24. Intro du ctory n o t e ...... 33 25. Ha nd gre nad e S.E.C.M., Mod. 35... 33 26. Ha nd grenade Bre da, Mod. 35 34 27. Ha nd grenade O.T.O., Mod. 35 ... 3d 28. Markings on hand grenades 37 PA RT VII -IT ALI AN MORTARS 29. Intro du ctory note ... 30. 45 mm . light m ortar . Mod. 35—B rixia ...... 31. 81 mm. mo rta r. Mod. 3 5 ...... 42 Co ntinue! on page iv nf corer, iv SBC. PART VIII .—ITALIAN ANTI-TANK RI FL ES pagb 32. 20 mm. A.Tk. rifle—Solothurn ...... 46 PART IX.—A USTRIAN WEAPONS USED IN TH E ITALIAN ARMY 33. Introducto ry note ...... 49 34. 8 mm. rifle. Mod. 95—Mannlicher...... 49 35. 8 mm. medium M.G., Mod. 07/12—Schwarz lose...... 51 PART X.—GERMAN WEAPO NS (Revised particulars) 36. int rod uctory note ...... 53 37. 9 ram. pistol 38—W al th er ...... 53 38. 5 cm. light mo rtar 36 ...... 56 PART XL—ITALIAN S.A.A. 39. Markings and identification ...... 60 40. In te rc ha ng ea bi lit y...... 60 PAR T XII. —IT ALIAN UNITS OF MEASUREMENT 41. Distan ces ...... 60 42. Angles ...... 62 APP ENDIC ES Appendix A.—Range tables for Italian 8 m m. M.Gs...... 65 Appendix B.—Range tables for Italian 45 mm. mortar. Mod. 35 ...... 66 Append x C.—Range t blc> for It ilian 81 mm. mo rtar, Mod. 35 ...... 67 Appendix D.—Italian S.A.A. (markings and re co gn iti on )...... 68 Appendix E.— Italian S.A.A. (int er ch an ge ab ili ty )...... 70 Appendix F.—German S.A.A. (interchangeability) ...... 71